Harry Kane on Ballon d'Or wait: "My wife would rather know, it's very stressful"

Harry Kane is living the final stretch before the Ballon d'Or gala with a mix of excitement and nerves. The Bayern Munich striker admits the wait to learn the winner of the award is dragging on, especially because of the pressure he feels from those closest to him. On Monday, October 26, in London, a question that is particularly intense at home for the English forward will finally be answered.

• Harry Kane calls the Ballon d'Or wait "stressful" for him and his family.
• The Bayern striker says his wife and relatives would rather know the result already.
• Kane is one of the top favourites alongside Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.
• He won the European Golden Shoe last season with 36 Bundesliga goals and 61 in total.
• He is aiming to become the fifth Englishman ever to win the Ballon d'Or.

Kane's confession: a wait that wears down the whole family

The English goal scorer does not hold back when asked about the days leading up to the ceremony. Kane acknowledges that the uncertainty is taking a particular toll on his wife and family, who would prefer to know the verdict ahead of time instead of waiting until the end of the evening. The gala being held in London adds an extra emotional layer for the player, who feels at home in the city.

I think my wife would rather know, and my family too. It's very stressful for everyone.

The Bayern attacker also understands the reasons why the organisers keep the secret until the very last moment. The uncertainty guarantees that all the candidates attend and that the television audience stays tuned until the end. Even so, Kane would ditch that suspense without a second thought.

Why Kane is one of the leading Ballon d'Or candidates

The London-born striker's season at Bayern Munich has been staggering in front of goal. Kane claimed the European Golden Shoe after scoring 36 times in the Bundesliga, a tally that underpinned a total of 61 goals in all competitions, along with seven assists. Those numbers have placed him in the main shortlist next to Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.

The fifth Englishman in history: Kane's challenge in London

If Harry Kane's name is announced this Monday in the British capital, the Bayern forward will join a very exclusive club in England. Only four English footballers have won the Ballon d'Or throughout history: Stanley Matthews in 1956, Bobby Charlton in 1966, Kevin Keegan in 1978 and 1979, and Michael Owen in 2001. Twenty-four years later, Kane has the chance to end that drought.

The challenge of staying calm before the gala

Kane spoke to the English press in Munich on the back of Bayern's draw against Arsenal in the Champions League. In that relaxed setting, but with his mind already on the London event, the forward admitted that his goal is to avoid letting anxiety take over the evening. Enjoying the moment without getting "too stressed" has become something of a mantra for him and his family.

London, the perfect stage for a dream recognition

The gala being held in London carries a very special meaning for Kane. Returning to his hometown with the chance to receive the most prestigious individual award in football adds another layer of emotion to a night that will be unforgettable for the striker regardless of the outcome. Even if the suspense bothers him, the stage could not be more fitting for a historic coronation.